{"title":"Caesalpinia","description":"\u003cp\u003eCertain tropical species of Caesalpinia are also harvested for their exotic and expensive wood which is sold as Argentinian Brown Ebony or Partridgewood and is used in hardwood floors, cabinets, furniture, gun handles, violin bows, and guitar fingerboards. Although Caesalpinia is primarily a tropical genus , there are a few species that survive as low shrubs or dieback woody perennials in the southern US. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Caesalpinia was named for a 16th century Italian botanist named Andrea Cesalpino who was the first to classify plants based on their seed and fruit morphology and who worked at the botanic garden in Pisa in the late 1500s. He also created one of the very first herbaria in the world in the 1550s. Cesalpino later went on to be the personal physician of Pope Clement the VIII and to write dense books about Aristotelian philosophy. His writings on geology and fossils were hundreds of years ahead of their time. Quite a renaissance man! \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Despite the common name Bird-of-Paradise, Caesalpinia is not related to the real Bird-of-Paradise, which is in the genus Strelitzia. Another common name Nicker, comes from an old English term for a marble and refers to the large rounded seeds of Caesalpinia which are used as game pieces and necklace beads in the Caribbean islands. Another common name, Holdback, refers to the long thorns present on some Caesalpinia species which are known to grab onto clothing. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Caesalpinia prefers full sun and well drained soil. Try combining Caesalpinia with other large exotic tropical looking perennials like \u003ca title=\"Abutilon\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/abutilon-flowering-maple\"\u003eAbutilon\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Agave\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/agave\"\u003eAgave\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Arundo\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/arundo\"\u003eArundo\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Brugmansia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/brugmansia-angel-trumpet\"\u003eBrugmansia\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Canna\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/canna-bulbs-for-sale-canna-lilies-plants\"\u003eCanna\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Musa banana\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/musa-banana-leaf-plant\"\u003eMusa banana\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Opuntia cactus\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/opuntia\"\u003eOpuntia cactus\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca title=\"Colocasia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/colocasia-elephant-ear-bulb\"\u003eColocasia\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca title=\"cold hardy palms\" href=\"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/hardy-palms-and-cycads\"\u003ecold hardy palms\u003c\/a\u003e. When you are ready to buy Caesalpinia for your garden, check out our online list of Caesalpinia for sale below.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"caesalpinia-gilliesii","title":"Caesalpinia gilliesii","description":"\u003cp\u003e(aka: Erythrostemon gilliesii) We have grown this South American native for decades, during which time it survived 0 degrees F with only a little tip burn. Even more impressive is that it has survived Zone 6 temperatures when kept dry in winter at the Denver Botanic Gardens. Caesalpinia gilliesii has woody stems adorned toward the top with lacy, grey-green, mimosa-like leaves. Topping each stem, starting in June (NC), are stunningly indescribable flower heads composed of bright yellow petals with contrasting red stamens that resemble long red threads emerging from the flower. Caesalpinia gilliesii is sure to draw both visitor stares and rave reviews.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere in the lower Piedmont of NC, winter hardiness zone 7b, usually the only maintenance needed by this Bird of Paradise is to trim out any stems that have been killed by winter's cold. In milder climates shrubs might need a bit of renewal pruning every few years.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrowing Conditions\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAt least 6 hours of direct full-sun are necessary for this plant to bloom, more hours of sun would be even better. It needs well drained soils and it is very drought tolerant. One of its common names is Desert Bird of Paradise.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGarden Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eBird of Paradise is exceptionally ornamental with its delicately divided blue-green foliage and exquisitely showy flowers which are produced intermittently all summer. Many flowering ornamentals add color to gardens as does this plant but this plant brings great beauty in its spectacular flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNatural Impact:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThe flowers are highly visited by hummingbirds.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNomenclature:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere is a prime example where one common name, Bird of Paradise, is shared by two very different and unrelated plants, this one, Caesalpinia gilliesii, and the tropical herbaceous perennial Strelitzia reginae. Strelitzia reginae might be the better known of these two with its banana like leaves and the flower (inflorescence) that often shows up as a florist cutflower.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Plant Delights Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":21024597509,"sku":"2276","price":29.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/files\/Caesalpinia-gilliesii.i-2276.s-66602.r-1.jpg?v=1792157253"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1527\/8799\/collections\/Caesalpinia-gilliesii-1900x350.jpg?v=1681307814","url":"https:\/\/www.plantdelights.sbs\/collections\/caesalpinia.oembed","provider":"Plant Delights Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}